An Introduction To Adoption

Adoption is a very popular process, yet it isn't well-understood by the majority of people. If you have any interest in adopting a child, then it is important that you are familiar with the process. To help you get started, here is a brief overview of the process.

Adoption

As you probably know, adoption is the legal term for the assumption of parenting responsibilities by a party who is not a biological parent. The concept may seem fairly simple at first glance, but it is actually much more complex than it se. Adoptions can take a wide variety of forms and can arise from a variety of circumstances, and every prospective parent is judged individually on their merits as an adoptive parent.

Who Can Adopt?

There are many criteria for determining who is and who is not an eligible party for adoption. Financial status, employment history, criminal record, housing situation, and whether or not you are married all play large roles in deciding whether you can adopt a child. If you are well-off, have a stable job, and own a house, you will be considered a very favorable candidate. However, if you lack the money to provide basic amenities for your child, suffer from chronic unemployment, or do not have a permanent residence, then your chances will plummet.

There are some other geographically-relevant factors that can influence your eligibility as well, such as if you are part of a same-sex couple. Some states have laws that prevent homosexual couples from adopting children, while others permit such things. This can also make inter-state adoptions very complex, since you need to be eligible as a parent in both your own state and that of your adoptee.

Types of Adoptions

There are also two types of adoptions: closed and open. In closed adoptions, all information is hidden from the biological parents, the child to be adopted, and the adopting parents. This helps preserve anonymity, but also makes contact between the new and old parents very difficult. Some information can be shared, such as ethnic history and family health history, which could be help protect the health of the adoptee.

On the other hand, open adoptions reveal all information about the involved parties. Historically, this is much more common option. It allows children to contact their biological parents easily, while simultaneously allowing the biological parents to have some awareness of where there child is and what kind of household they live in.

If you need more information about adoption, contact a family lawyer in your area.